ArmInfo. The new tariffs for public transport in Yerevan correspond to prices in the capitals of Eastern Europe. As a result, taxis are becoming a more accessible and convenient option for people. And this may lead to an increase in the number of vehicles on the already overloaded streets of Yerevan, which could undermine one of the main goals of public transport - reducing urban traffic.
These concerns were raised by Aghasi Tavadyan, the expert of the Research Center and founder of the analytical portal tvyal.com, in a post on a social network.
"The main problem Yerevan faces is not the need for modernization; that much is clear. The real challenge lies in how to plan and finance these improvements without making public transportation too expensive for its primary users. When a group of three people decides to take a taxi instead of public transportation, the system is likely to contradict its own goals of reducing traffic and providing affordable transportation for everyone. As Yerevan residents adapt to these changes, the city's experience may show whether rapid modernization at the expense of affordability is a sustainable path for Armenia's urban development," Aghasi Tavadyan wrote.